Can a bike chain be shortened?
Bike chains can lengthen due to age and use, or you may buy one that’s too long. With a few tools, a bike stand and a little time you can remove extra links, shorten the chain and make your bike rideable once again.
How do you break a chain without a bolt cutter?
If you don’t have bolt cutters or you have a hardened metal chain that bolt cutters won’t cut through, you can use a saw instead. There are a wide variety of saws that will effectively cut through a chain.
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Pick a saw to use.
- Hacksaw.
- Metal grinder, such as an angle grinder.
- Reciprocating saw.
- Coping saw.
How do you split a chain without a chain splitter?
It will be much easier if you buy a cheap tool, but. Lay the side of the chain on a block of soft wood, take a metal punch, or a nail of around the same diameter as the pin in the link (I used to use a nail), place the nail on the centre of the pin and tap sharply with a small hammer, but not too hard on the pin.